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Success of Dustless Refuse Scheme

28th June 1963, Page 94
28th June 1963
Page 94
Page 94, 28th June 1963 — Success of Dustless Refuse Scheme
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Keywords : Waste Collection

Altogether 112,296 premises werenow on the continental dustless rounds, this representing 35 per cent of the potential. Although the idea was to cover the whole of the city within 10 years, the possibility of speeding up the conversion was now being examined. Quite apart from the continental system. Birmingham was extending bulk storage and collection wherever possible at multi-storey fiats, large stores, offices and factories as well as at schools, hospitals and the like. These collections now covered 12,243 premises which could also be regarded as having a virtually dustless collection. A close watch had been kept on the dustless bins already in use for evidence of damage, and searching tests were made in the corporation's industrial research laboratories which reproduced the effects of impact when a bin was continually dropped on a concrete surface after emptying. Consequent upon the expanding interest in this system the British Standards Institution had set up a special sub-committee, of which the I.P.C. president. Mr. Alan Barton, was chairman. to consider the preparation of standard specifications for bins operating in connection with dustless shutters.

Bins for trade refuse storage were loaned to those who had contracts with the department and the charge for emptying included an amount to cover the hire of the bin. The introduction of a system that depended upon the use of a special bin had tightened up control on the "unofficial" collections previously made by the men on their rounds. If a trader on a dustless round wished to have refuse removed by a corporation vehicle it could now be done only through the medium of an official contract so that any revenue came to the corporation., Critics of dustless refuse collectionmight argue that extension of smokecontrol areas must reduce the quantity of fine dust and ash for removal, consequently they contended that there would be less need for introducing dustless methods. said Mr. Jorden. He commented that some fuels whilst being smokeless actually, produced more fine ash than ordinary ,coal and that, in addition to preventing the dissemination of dust. the continental system also prevented spillage :and the possibility of refuse being blown about while a collection was in progress. There could be no question that where they had introduced the new collection system the department was held in much higher esteem by the housewives, he said.

Replying to questions Mr. Jorden, said that only time would tell what the increased volume of refuse would mean and whether the 21-cu.-ft. bin would suffice for the future. Certainly they had found that one bin per house was sufficient at present. The seven-man crew operated excellently with two workers in advance of collection, two behind, two working at the back of the vehicle and one driving. The completion of slumclearance schemes would make property in now-congested areas much more suitable for the operation of modern collection systems. In business premises the bulk container was the answer especially now that they were finding both corporation and outside architects in their own district ready to engage in prior consultation with the cleansing department.

The cleansing service must emulate the policy of industry in attracting young men of sound education and preparing them for progress to the higher ranks, said Mr. F. Roberts (Birkenhead), dealing with "Career Opportunities in Public Cleansing ". He thought that they would not lack encouragement if they aimed to set up more specialist training courses in technical colleges up and down the country. Both elected representatives and cleansing officers must treat this matter seriously and endeavour to relate current staff training in the profession to the overall needs of the future, he said.


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